Breast is best
Health benefits of breastfeeding continue to add up
Bridie Smith About 18 per cent of Australian mothers are still breastfeeding their infants at six months of age, a figure many health professionals want increased.
Safe sleeping for children up to two years of age
Kidsafe Information for parents and caregivers - Simple strategies such as sleeping infants on their backs, can result in extremely successful outcomes in the reduction of deaths such as those attributed to SIDS.
Get your groove back: how to stay sane when everyone calls you Mum
There are times when every parent longs for their childless days and pre-kids fun like the carefree Sunday morning sleep in after a night of bottomless margaritas.
Oral health for babies and toddlers
Australian Dental Association To raise awareness about the importance of caring for your baby’s oral health from the moment they are born, the Australian Dental Association (ADA) has launched a website to assist parents with tips on preventative oral care for babies and toddlers.
Understanding your baby's brain
Kathy Walker Many parents understandably assume that a new born baby is simply a blank slate that requires us to do everything for them and that they really are incapable of anything other than crying, drinking and sleeping or not, as the case may be!
Five myths about motherhood
Dr Mataji Kennedy I see a number of women in my private practice who have moved from full-time work into full-time motherhood. Let's face it, it's a big transition and we aren't always well prepared for it. Motherhood is joyous and it's also hard work.
Month by month
Developmental milestones: the first six months
It is important to realise that babies developmental progress varies greatly. Some children may miss out on developmental milestones all together - such as crawling.
Baby's first month: development, medical and sleep
Brooke Wells Congratulations you have a brand new addition to your family! Whether it is your first or fifth plenty of Mums can't remember exactly what's it's like to have newborn, so find out about baby's first month on Essential Baby.
Baby's first month: breastfeeding
Brooke Wells Breastfeeding is often the first real challenge mothers face with their newborns. Rest assured there is plenty of advice and help to encourage and support you with this important job.
Baby's second month: development, medical and sleep
Brooke Wells Early experiences are significant in shaping babies minds. A baby can begin to communicate as early as two months and will be able to smile and coo although crying is still his main form of expressing their needs.
Baby's second month: SIDS
Brooke Wells There is no known reason for SIDS but it is believed to be related to a baby’s inability to wake up when breathing irregularly, as part of a larger defect of the arcuate nucleus in the brain or elsewhere in the body that goes undetected.
Baby's third month: development, medical and sleep
Brooke Wells Setting aside time a couple of times each day to have fun with your baby is important both for your baby’s development and for your relationship with your baby.
Baby's third month: routines
Brooke Wells A structured routine is not the same thing as a schedule. A schedule is about time slots whereas routine is about keeping up the same daily pattern and repeating that pattern every day.
Baby's fourth month: development, medical and sleep
Brooke Wells By the age of four months, your baby will be able to follow a moving object with her eyes and look around and smile at people she sees frequently.
Baby's fourth month: delayed development
Brooke Wells In most instances, babies reach each developmental milestones like rolling over, sitting, walking, and talking right around the expected time, and if they don't they catch up soon.
Baby's fifth month: development, medical and sleep
Brooke Wells Your baby will still be learning hand-eye co-ordination and will use his mouth to explore objects
Baby's fifth month: teething
Brooke Wells Tooth eruption rate is hereditary so if you or your baby’s father had teeth come in early or late, this is a good indication of how your own baby’s teeth will come in.
Baby's sixth month: development, medical and sleep
Brooke Wells Your baby might have realised that he can use rolling as a way to transport himself, or he may skip it altogether and move on to sitting, lunging, and crawling.
Baby's sixth month: weaning
Brooke Wells There are a number of signs your baby will give you when they are ready to be weaned and start eating solids including showing a curiosity in food, chewing or lipsmacking.
From a mother's point of view...
Amity Dry's blog
What it means to be Mum
Amity Dry Being a mum is such a uniting force, it is the ultimate common ground. It doesn’t matter what your background is, what your current or previous career was, what your income, where you live or what your life choices are – once you’re a mum we are all inherently the same.
Kylie Orr's blog
Birth choices: women vs medical fraternity
Kylie Orr I’ve had three babies. All different models of care and all individual experiences with varying outcomes. Well, they were all babies not assorted jungle creatures, so in that sense, the end product was the same.
Feature Member
Four babies, four very different births
Nicole Salinas It’s quite a common assumption that if you have one type of birth then your subsequent births may be fairly similar. For Essential Baby member Sylvia this certainly wasn't the case.
From a father's point of view...
New Dad's Guide
A soon-to-be-Dad's acquaintances fall into two camps: childless friends who tease you about impending loss of freedom, and friends with kids who point out the big highs.
Are babies boring?
Joseph Kelly So it looked like I was in danger of becoming a dreaded Bad Parent. If things kept going the way they were we were about to become a divided household, split into the Maisie Lobby and the Frances Lobby.
Having multiples
The decision - I want a baby
Juliana Fridman We want a little version (hopefully a better version) of the mix between us. We have so much love to give and sharing with another one it will only make it bigger. So let’s go for it!
The discovery, fears and celebrations
Juliana Fridman I will never forget, after a 50 minute ultrasound, the most senior specialist looked at me showing 3 fingers and said, “Congratulations, you’re having triplets.”
Ok, we're pregnant. What now?
Juliana Fridman I was in tears for days, confused and worried. What does that mean? Am I going to survive? Do they fit? Is it going to damage my organs? How do we move from here? And what about the financial aspects? Someone please shed some light.
Pregnancy Do's and Don'ts
Juliana Fridman The Do’s and Don’ts (for pregnant woman as well as for friends around pregnant ones)
The second Trimester, a whole new Journey
Juliana Fridman I was one of those lucky people where the second trimester was a whole new world. No more throwing up every night and morning, no more feeling so tired and getting used to all the hormones... I feel great and ready to conquer the moon.
The hormones and changes
Juliana Fridman Oh well, if your partner feels like he needs to disappear and leave the house during your PMS days he better be prepared for this. I have 3x the hormones of a pregnant woman expecting one baby so you can imagine how much my poor husband has to deal with.
The expected day has arrived
Juliana Fridman Something is going wrong, one of the babies is in serious distress and it’s not possible to know why. I am also already in early labour. We needed to go into an emergency Caesarean NOW!
Super Hubbo Action
Juliana Fridman I was barely awake that whole afternoon and full next day after the caesarean. In the meantime, Jon has been the best father (and husband) anyone could wish for. Jon goes see the boys 24x7, he worries and celebrate every little step.
Breastfeeding Feelings... what a change
Juliana Fridman I have been using the hospital breast pump day and night since I woke up from all the drugs of the caesarean… I even wake up in the middle of the night to express.
A turn around on events, getting my health back
Juliana Fridman I wasn’t feeling that well, one week since the caesarean and I still don’t walk much, my water retention got worse, and I have some problems breathing, especially at night.
The beginning of the new beginning for Rafa and I
Juliana Fridman One of the things was what is called Pre-Eclampsia, hence why so much water in my body. Pre-eclampsia tends to be more frequent on multiples, they say it is rare for multiples NOT to have that.
Baby Diaries - Videos
Prenatal preparation is key
There's a lot of getting ready for a new baby and a calm birth class could be the answer to easing nerves.
Flaunt it with bump fashion
If you've got a bump it's time to flaunt it with these fresh fashion options for pregnant women.
Top picks for baby names
Inspiration for baby names can come anywhere from Hollywood actresses to respelling the classics.
Dad gets the pregnancy experience
We find a dad who's willing to see what it feels like to be pregnant for the day.
Settling home with a new baby
Most parents focus on preparing for the birth of their new baby but it's important to put time into settling in at home.
Tips for bathing your baby
Bath time with your newborn might be frightening at first but it should become an enjoyable part of your routine.
Getting enough sleep with a newborn
Sleep is one of the biggest worries for parents bringing a baby home - are you and the baby getting enough?
No more tears at bath time
William Meldrum has put a stop to tears at bath time with his illustrated 'Wiggle Giggle Bath Book'.
Story time makes learning fun
As author Andy Griffiths explains, story time is a highlight for many kids but it's also important for healthy brain development.
Handy Tips
How to swaddle your baby
Step by step instructions to swaddle your baby. Swaddling helps baby sleep by preventing the startle reflex. It also aids in keeping baby sleeping on their back. Images provided by aden + anais wraps.
Handy way to calm baby
Learning the ins and outs of infant massage may be the way to soothe an unsettled baby.








